Don't car jack a manual car
#31
Re: Don't car jack a manual car
Good for that dealer! At least he believes in what he is selling!
Scenario....
Customer: Hi yes im interested in purchasing a new Challenger
Dealer: Oh yes sir, come and take a look, we have the choice of three colours in at the moment
Customer: Oh they are beautiful, Ill take the red, but could I have automatic transmission?
Dealer: Automatic??
Customer: Yes
Dealer: Get out!
<dealer walks off shaking head in disbelief>
Its like going to a very high end steak house restaurant and asking for your steak well done! .... again.....get out! ....
Scenario....
Customer: Hi yes im interested in purchasing a new Challenger
Dealer: Oh yes sir, come and take a look, we have the choice of three colours in at the moment
Customer: Oh they are beautiful, Ill take the red, but could I have automatic transmission?
Dealer: Automatic??
Customer: Yes
Dealer: Get out!
<dealer walks off shaking head in disbelief>
Its like going to a very high end steak house restaurant and asking for your steak well done! .... again.....get out! ....
#32
Re: Don't car jack a manual car
I don't think there's shame in driving an automatic if you're an American, in that circumstance you likely have bigger things to be ashamed of.
#34
Re: Don't car jack a manual car
A friend had a '66 with (I think) a 289 and an automatic and it was still cool to ride around in, lots of power but they were still pretty basic cars.
#35
Back in US & happy!
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 505
Re: Don't car jack a manual car
I used to race go-karts back when I was in my 20s, the one I raced had a 250cc motorbike engine and, of course, no suspension. It was great fun until I wreaked my knee and then when I tried to get back to it, I couldn't walk for days after. Years after, when I used to drive 30,000 miles per year with my job, I had an operation on said knee. Helped a lot, but in the end I got an automatic because my knee would regularly lock up if I was in stop-start traffic. I would have preferred to stay with manual cars, but I also needed to be able to walk from the car when I stopped driving. Sometimes you just have to go with what gets you through life...
#36
Re: Don't car jack a manual car
I used to race go-karts back when I was in my 20s, the one I raced had a 250cc motorbike engine and, of course, no suspension. It was great fun until I wreaked my knee and then when I tried to get back to it, I couldn't walk for days after. Years after, when I used to drive 30,000 miles per year with my job, I had an operation on said knee. Helped a lot, but in the end I got an automatic because my knee would regularly lock up if I was in stop-start traffic. I would have preferred to stay with manual cars, but I also needed to be able to walk from the car when I stopped driving. Sometimes you just have to go with what gets you through life...
How long did you race karts for, i used to to that too when i was younger id love to get back into it again! Certainly gets the adrenaline and the competitive spirit flowing!!!
#37
Back in US & happy!
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 505
Re: Don't car jack a manual car
I have no issue with automatics, it sounds like your scenario is a perfect example. I own two vehicles, one is a automatic (a Trailblazer SUV) and the Mustang is manual. I just couldnt bring myself to buy an automatic Mustang! But i totally empathise with your case.
How long did you race karts for, i used to to that too when i was younger id love to get back into it again! Certainly gets the adrenaline and the competitive spirit flowing!!!
How long did you race karts for, i used to to that too when i was younger id love to get back into it again! Certainly gets the adrenaline and the competitive spirit flowing!!!
I also didn't have a garage, so in the end I sold the kart because my Mum was fed up with it being on my bedroom floor, or worst, in the dining room!
I have tried doing it since at these little indoor tracks with smaller karts, but it isn't the same as driving a meaty kart on proper race tracks. But even the little karts mess with my knee!! Still miss it though, it was such fun!
#38
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2017
Location: Suffolk, UK
Posts: 4
Re: Don't car jack a manual car
I will always drive a manual, even if it means less choice of cars to buy. At least it won't get stolen haha!
#39
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Don't car jack a manual car
Are manuals a pain in city traffic driving stop and go?
They seem like they would be. 95% of my driving is in congested Vancouver, stop and go and an average speed of 38 km/h according to the car dash thing.
They seem like they would be. 95% of my driving is in congested Vancouver, stop and go and an average speed of 38 km/h according to the car dash thing.
#40
Re: Don't car jack a manual car
Not in my opinion. Many disagree.
For me, I can shift up and down, and depress the clutch when rolling to a stop, without even thinking about it. Shifting is in no way burdensome for me under any circumstances.
So long as I have two function legs and two functioning arms there is no circumstance under which I would choose an automatic if a manual was available.
For me, I can shift up and down, and depress the clutch when rolling to a stop, without even thinking about it. Shifting is in no way burdensome for me under any circumstances.
So long as I have two function legs and two functioning arms there is no circumstance under which I would choose an automatic if a manual was available.
#41
Re: Don't car jack a manual car
It depends on the car. If it's highly tuned and has a "heavy" clutch, one demanding a lot of push, then yes. At one point I commuted in a Lotus 7 which, while a fabulous car, was not ideal for the role for the reasons mentioned (and for having no weather equipment). Something like a Cobra, where the engine is very much on or off, would be worse. I currently commute in a Mustang which doesn't have a very peaky engine and does have loads of torque (which allows one to get away with being in the wrong gear), that's easy, if a bit granddad-ish.
#42
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2016
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 183
Re: Don't car jack a manual car
I've made the decision that when I move to Vancouver I will be getting an automatic car (for the first time in my driving life - eek). I hope I don't miss the manual too much.
BTW, my Canadian +1 (who's lived in Toronto) was very amused by the story that started this thread. Not amused for the poor person who was carjacked, but amused by how stupid the criminals were.
Last edited by MelVan; Apr 23rd 2017 at 8:50 am.
#43
Back in US & happy!
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 505
Re: Don't car jack a manual car
When I started getting company cars it was easy to move to automatics, but I had to deal with problems with manual cars for over 10 years from when I did my knee in, in my 20s. So it's not necessarily an age thing that stops people driving manuals. My last manual car was a Ford Escort RS - no power steering, heavy clutch - final straw really!
Before I left UK, I was driving a Golf and you could switch into manual mode, still no need for a clutch, but you decided when to change gear - that was fun!
#45
Re: Don't car jack a manual car
Our son, who is 16, is presently wanting to drive us 'everywhere' ...the long way round! For the practice.
I cannot drive an automatic- well I probably can, but won't - so we have two stick shifts in the family plus one 2CV...he's doing well (he loves the 2CV, and dresses accordingly, with 'cool' shades, and is evidently longing to ditch the parents in September) I do however think that it's far better getting a newbie to learn how to drive a stick shift, even if he just has a future in car theft or indeed Formula 1 to look forward to.
I often drive a car full of teens and they study what I'm doing with the gears
Ike you wouldn't believe
I cannot drive an automatic- well I probably can, but won't - so we have two stick shifts in the family plus one 2CV...he's doing well (he loves the 2CV, and dresses accordingly, with 'cool' shades, and is evidently longing to ditch the parents in September) I do however think that it's far better getting a newbie to learn how to drive a stick shift, even if he just has a future in car theft or indeed Formula 1 to look forward to.
I often drive a car full of teens and they study what I'm doing with the gears
Ike you wouldn't believe